Hope on the Streets​

One hot meal at a time, restoring dignity and bringing hope to vulnerable communities.

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About the Founder

From a childhood marked by instability and uncertainty, Rokia Dedior developed resilience and a deep understanding of the power of hope. Despite significant challenges, she built a stable and meaningful life with the support and resources she received. This experience shaped her lifelong commitment to supporting vulnerable populations in the United States and internationally, including West Africa.

Rokia is dedicated to uplifting homeless youth, single mothers, widows with children, and other vulnerable populations across West Africa and in underserved communities in the United States. She believes in the transformative power of community support and meaningful opportunities, providing guidance, resources, and hope to help individuals rebuild their lives with dignity and confidence.

As a PhD scholar in Human Services, Rokia’s research focuses on culturally adapted mental health interventions that support the psychological well-being of young adults experiencing homelessness in West Africa. By combining lived experience with rigorous academic research, she ensures that the initiatives of Fondation Cœur Dedior are both practical and evidence-informed.

Under her leadership, the foundation has made a meaningful impact by distributing meals to families in need, providing school supplies and improving access to medical care, supporting access to mental health services, and creating opportunities for individuals to develop their talents and pursue brighter futures. As the organization grows, it aims to expand its efforts to support vulnerable mothers and families in the United States and internationally, including developing programs that assist individuals in accessing safe and stable housing and other essential resources.

Rokia’s vision continues to guide the foundation’s work. It brings hope, restores dignity, and empowers those who need it most.

Our Mission ​

At Fondation Cœur Dedior, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our mission is to restore dignity, safety, and opportunity to vulnerable populations in the United States and internationally, including West Africa. We serve homeless young adults, single mothers, widows with children, adolescent girls facing unintended pregnancies, and families experiencing hardship.

We provide emergency assistance, essential resources, and long-term support that empower individuals to rebuild their lives. Our work includes maternal and child services such as newborn kits, basic healthcare support, and guidance for young mothers to help ensure a healthy start for their children.

As the organization grows, we are committed to expanding our programs to further support vulnerable individuals and families, including initiatives that promote access to safe and stable housing, essential resources, and long-term stability.

Guided by compassion and a commitment to equity, we strive to ensure that no one is left behind, especially those facing crisis situations such as displacement, poverty, or early motherhood, and that every individual has access to support, protection, and hope for a better future.

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Our Vision

Fondation Cœur Dedior envisions a world where every vulnerable child, adolescent girl, and individual has access to safety, nourishment, education, and the opportunity to thrive in the United States and internationally, including West Africa.

We envision communities where safe and supportive environments exist for all, including access to stable housing and transitional support systems that restore dignity, break the cycle of poverty, and empower individuals, particularly young mothers and their children, to rebuild their lives and create a better future.

Our Impact in Action

Charitable Culinary Contest – Côte d’Ivoire, December 2024

Fondation Cœur Dedior is dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals in need through focused initiatives. One of these is the Fondation Cœur Dedior Culinary Program, an annual charitable culinary contest implemented across different communities.

In 2024, the program was held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire under the name Ivoire Culinaire, providing participants from vulnerable backgrounds with a unique platform to showcase their culinary talents, gain recognition, and receive prizes, equipment, and encouragement to pursue brighter futures.

During the event, we also distributed Christmas gifts to children from vulnerable families, ensuring they experienced joy, inclusion, and support during the holiday season.

Beyond prizes and recognition, the program had a lasting impact on participants’ lives. Many gained confidence, self-esteem, and motivation, discovering talents they can develop into future careers or livelihoods. By providing encouragement, guidance, and tangible resources, we help individuals in need see a path to a brighter future while fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Through the Fondation Cœur Dedior Culinary Program, donors play a crucial role in empowering individuals, creating opportunities, and breaking cycles of hardship. Every contribution helps transform lives, nurture talent, and give hope to those striving for a better tomorrow.

Sharing Food & Dignity in Guinea

This Ramadan, Fondation Coeur Dedior reached out to those in need across Conakry, Guinea. We provided food supplies to nine (9) mosques to support vulnerable community members and walked the streets to share meals with people experiencing homelessness. Every act of kindness reminded us that together, we can bring hope and dignity to all.

A Moment of Triumph

Tears of joy and a brighter future: recognizing the talent, perseverance, and potential of vulnerable individuals through our charitable culinary contest.

Port-Bouët Adjoufou: Rice Kit Distribution for Vulnerable Families

In the heart of the Port-Bouët Adjoufou neighborhood in Côte d’Ivoire, our team distributed rice kits to over 200 vulnerable families, including widows with children and single mothers.

The turnout was overwhelming, a powerful reminder of the pressing needs within the community. Each family received essential support for their household, and the moment was filled with emotion, compassion, and a shared commitment to caring for one another.

Ramadan Food Distribution in Yakassé-Mé, Côte d’Ivoire

During Ramadan, Fondation Cœur Dedior visited the village of Yakassé-Mé in the Adzopé region to distribute food kits to over 100 vulnerable families.

We are grateful to the local Imam for his warm welcome and prayers for our team. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to bringing hope, support, and tangible assistance to communities in need. Together, we can make a lasting difference.

Bringing Hope Through Warm Meals to Youth in Côte d’Ivoire

During our visit to Côte d’Ivoire, we had the privilege of preparing and personally delivering warm meals to youth living on the streets.

Beyond providing food, we listened to their stories, learned about the challenges they face, and shared meaningful moments of connection and care.

This experience strengthened our commitment to restoring hope, dignity, and opportunity to those who need it most.

"Testimonials"

“Fondation Cœur Dedior has been a true blessing for me and my family. After a motorcycle accident left me unable to continue my delivery work, I faced significant hardship. In that difficult moment, I reached out to Fondation Cœur Dedior, and they kindly stepped in to assist me. With their help and support, I was able to repair my motorcycle, return to work, and continue providing for my family. I remain deeply grateful to the foundation and its founder for restoring hope and stability in my life.”

~Sory Karaboili

“Fondation Coeur Dedior's culinary contest has helped me gain self-confidence, as my friends doubted me and I never thought I would win. My victory restored my self-belief, and my prize allowed me, with the freezer, to start commercializing ice, water, and juices, giving me real financial freedom. I want to thank Fondation Coeur Dedior for this initiative and for believing in me, and I encourage everyone who lacks confidence in themselves to never doubt their abilities. This contest has truly changed my life for the better.”

— Pone Lou Martine, Ivoire Culinaire 2024 Winner